Minutes, February 22, 2011

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING

 

MINUTES

 

February 22, 2011

 

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 22^nd day of February 2011 at the Ellsworth County Courthouse. 

 

                                                            Members Present:

                                                            Kermit Rush, 2^nd District Commissioner

                                                            Terry L. Kueser, 3^rd District Commissioner

                                                           

                                                                                                                       

OPENING BUSINESS:

 

Chairman Kueser called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the Agenda as amended. Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 2-0.

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the Minutes of February 14, 2011.  Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 2-0.

 

Lou Boley, Senior Haired-Legislator for Ellsworth County, reported on Senior Day at the State Capitol.  One of the major initiatives is to keep seniors in their homes as long as possible.  At the present time, 80% of the care in Kansas is in private homes.  The Commissioners thanked Mr. Boley for representing the county.

 

APPOINTMENTS:

 

Mark Parson, Chairman of the Smoky Hill Child Care Foundation, reported he had visited with Roger Masse, ECMC Administrator, about the possibility of building the day care facility on top of the community shelter.  The hospital received a FEMA grant for the underground shelter but because of their critical access reimbursement status; feel they cannot own the facility.  Mr. Parson felt that it could be a solution as they could contract for food from the hospital and would have emergency services available for the children.  Their building is expected to cost $650,000 and they have raised $130,000 thus far.  However, he felt that once the final plans were made and building began, more donations would be forthcoming.  He suggested that a meeting with the Hospital Board, FEMA, Commissioners and the Smoky Hill Child Care Foundation be held to work out some of the details.  The Commissioners plan to visit with the County Attorney about the plan to see if there might be some legal complications and if not they will get back with Mr. Parsons.

 

Kenny Bernard, Emergency Management Director, reported he had been contacted by Topeka to see if the State would be eligible for funds to help with the recent snow removal.  They are just in the stage of gathering information to see if there would be enough expense.  He has contacted the county, hospital and cities to turn in their information directly to the state.

 

Upon the request of Sheriff Tracy Ploutz, Commissioner Rush moved to go into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel from 9:58 a.m. until 10:15 a.m.  Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 2-0.  The Commissioners returned to open session at 10:15 a.m.  No action was taken.

 

Jon Halbewachs, Kirkham Michael & Associates, visited with the Commissioners about the new wind farm for the county and offered their services if needed when the construction phase begins.

 

Joe Shepack, County Attorney met with the Commissioners and answered their questions in regards to the Smoky Hill Child Care Foundation's request to build on top of the community shelter.  He stated that most of the essential procedures could be handled on a lease basis.  Also, they discussed the recent documents received from Post Rock Wind Farm.  Mr. Shepack will secure a GIS map of the county's right-of-ways and visit with them again.  The Commissioners asked about a paragraph being inserted in the Pilot Agreement with Post Rock Wind Farm about renegotiation before the 10 year period is up.  After their discussion with Mr. Shepack, the Commissioners asked the County Clerk to contact Mr. Parson and have him set up a meeting with all the involved entities on the day care building and community shelter.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the proposal from Allied Environmental Consultants, Inc. for $810 to obtain and analyze plaster samplings from the Courthouse.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 2-0.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the bid from Don Base for repair of the sidewalk in front of the Courthouse in the amount of $446.04.  Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

Chairman Kueser adjourned the meeting at 12:15 p.m.

 

 

___________________________________________

Janet L.  Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk